A set of iOS 11 features including enabling smartphone cameras to read QR codes are aimed at the China market, where Apple would like to bolster iPhone sales.

The Echo, released in 2015, and Google Home, released a year ago, were the first entrants in a promising market.

Apple will roll out the free update sometime this fall.

In addition, now via iMessage, you can make payments.

While iMessage is touted by many to be one of the best mobile messaging platforms in the market within an iOS ecosystem, there is always room for improvement, and the software engineers at Apple have done it again by improving on iMessage. Siri will leverage the same AI learnings and capabilities to work on the HomePod smart speaker.

Like every year, the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference starts off with a keynote from the chief executive of the company. In fact, Apple Maps has progressed to such an extent where it is even able to be used when one is indoors, and we suspect that many people would have used Apple Maps on their iPhones to find their way in and around massive shopping malls.

Like the Amazon Echo and Google Home the Home Pod will play music while also helping people to manage their lives and homes

Lastly, techies will rejoice as iOS 11 is loaded with fixes to the Apple Pencil and give more opportunities for augmented reality (AR) that will help developers with app-making as it gives users more ways to experience virtual content overlayed on real-world scenes.

Apple's latest update to its Mac operating system focuses on core technologies and improved innards with support for numerous VR technologies. Called High Sierra, it recognizes more faces automatically, which should make it easier to organize photos, and will offer more photo editing tools.

Apple also showed a sneak peek into a new all-in-one desktop called the iMac Pro. AppleMusic in iOS 11 lets you check out what tunes are popular among your family and friends, although there is the option to keep your eclectic music taste private if you wish to.

For years, Apple's main way of interacting with consumers has been through touchscreens.

The news regarding the latest iPad Pro comes with glad tidings, as the latest model will be replacing the 9.7-inch model with a 10.5-inch version. The new model starts at $649 and will start shipping next week. There is also embedded Apple SIM2 and new iPads support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi and LTE Advanced3 make it easier to stay connected when travelling in more than 180 countries and regions, as per company's claim. There will now also be multiple suggestions to your queries, to better suit the kind of personality sketch Siri draws up about you over time. Payments can be verified using TouchID, with the service being made available to all devices running iOS 11, as well as on the Apple Watch.

Apple told the developers they were overhauling the App Store, giving it a fresh look, and beginning to add the floor plans of shops and airports to its map program.

WWDC 2017: 5 major announcements from Apple's Keynote address
Other new watchfaces include a kaleidoscope and new characters such as Woody, Jesse, and Buzz from the Toy Story movie franchise. Cook also praised the Apple developer community which has 16 million registered developers and added three million past year .

Malaysia Airlines attack: Lankan fails to appear in court
Terrified passengers described the moment a man, claiming to have a bomb , was tackled to the ground and restrained on Thursday. All baggage from the flight was rescreened and the aircraft's crew will not operate flights until further notice.